Fishing the St John- Florida: Hello, this from a Newbe to this forum. I will be fishing the St. John Feb. 6th to the 10th. Any insight will be appreciated. We will be staying in...

Johnnick60 Loc: Tenneessee

Hello, this from a Newbe to this forum. I will be fishing the St. John Feb. 6th to the 10th. Any insight will be appreciated. We will be staying in Palatka and launching there. Looking for some of those famous largemouth bass we keep hearing about here in Georgia.

FinFisherman Loc: Born in Ohio - 40 yrs Florida- Clearwater,Fl

Johnnick60 wrote:

Hello, this from a Newbe to this forum. I will be fishing the St. John Feb. 6th to the 10th. Any insight will be appreciated. We will be staying in Palatka and launching there. Looking for some of those famous largemouth bass we keep hearing about here in Georgia.

Watch for the not so famous gators.

NAMguy69 Loc: N/E ILLinOIZ

Easy, get a guide on day 1. The wild river shiners they use will eliminate small bass. And, the above comment about the gators is true.

CPT D.

Huntm22 Loc: Northern Utah. - West Haven

Welcome aboard Johnnick. Enjoy

Johnnick60 Loc: Tenneessee

Thanks so much

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

Johnnick60 wrote:

Hello, this from a Newbe to this forum. I will be fishing the St. John Feb. 6th to the 10th. Any insight will be appreciated. We will be staying in Palatka and launching there. Looking for some of those famous largemouth bass we keep hearing about here in Georgia.

Send a PM to "Smoknashes". She was fishing the St. John last week.

Dehy Loc: Jacksonville, Florida

Gordon wrote:

Send a PM to "Smoknashes". She was fishing the St. John last week.

She fishes saltwater, wrong area of the St. John’s.

The Elite series ran tournaments out of Palatka in the last few years. About 2-3 years ago most participants focused on Lake George. Last series though weather changed and most of the fishing was done in the St. Johns. Search for recordings of these tournaments and they may show overhead views of exactly where participants fished for ideas of where to start and what they used.

Dehy Loc: Jacksonville, Florida

FinFisherman wrote:

Watch for the not so famous gators.

Just give the gators their space. They no more want to be around you than you want to be around them. In fact they usually will move away before you start even getting close.

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

Dehy wrote:

She fishes saltwater, wrong area of the St. John’s.

The Elite series ran tournaments out of Palatka in the last few years. About 2-3 years ago most participants focused on Lake George. Last series though weather changed and most of the fishing was done in the St. Johns. Search for recordings of these tournaments and they may show overhead views of exactly where participants fished for ideas of where to start and what they used.

Johnnick60 Loc: Tenneessee

That’s exactly what we have done. We have some screen shots printed off. A friend of ours was a Pro and fished the MLF tournaments, he marked up some maps for us. He also recommended some different baits which we have secured. I put this out there in case someone was current on the river and can help dial us in. We are really pumped up for this trip.

Huntm22 Loc: Northern Utah. - West Haven

Johnnick60 wrote:

That’s exactly what we have done. We have some screen shots printed off. A friend of ours was a Pro and fished the MLF tournaments, he marked up some maps for us. He also recommended some different baits which we have secured. I put this out there in case someone was current on the river and can help dial us in. We are really pumped up for this trip.

Pumped you should be! Will love it when the hard work and effort help a plan come together.

Johnnick60 Loc: Tenneessee

You don’t know the half of it! When tournament time ended, I gutted my boat from stem to stern. Ordered new carpet and installed. Ordered new seats and installed. Improved my Electronics. Went through all 32 trays of hard baits, soft baits, hooks and sinkers(titan tungsten)and drop shot. Everything labeled and ready. Restrung all 12 rods and reels, and tied on what we think will work. My fishing buddy is starting a lure shop, so he’s been busy creating new baits for us to try. Dang we’re pumped. Building a new boat trailer but it’s in for paint, than I need to buy 5 new wheels and tires. Won’t make this trip though.

Salesrep Loc: Maryland

It is a big place to fish for sure.
I went there several years ago and did not do very good.
Best to get a guide and let him show you around for a few days then you can go out on your own, as time allows.
Good luck and let us know how you make out.
Salesrep

Johnnick60 Loc: Tenneessee

Will do friend